Cancer compendium: information and trends by cancer type

Web report

Last updated:30 Mar 2017

Author: AIHW

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This report present key data, information and trends over time for 14 key cancers and all cancers combined. For all cancers combined, the number of new cases of cancer diagnosed increased from 47,445 in 1982 to 124,465 in 2013. Individuals with cancer had an increased chance of survival (from 48% in 1984–1988 to 68% in 2009–2013) compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.

Findings from this report:

At the end of 2012, 410,530 people were alive who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 5 years

134,174 new cancer cases were estimated to be diagnosed in 2017

5-year relative survival was 68% for all cancers combined in 2009–2013

Cervical cancer in Australia

New cases of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer was the 14th most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in Australia in 2013. In 2017, it is estimated that it will remain the 14th most commonly diagnosed cancer among females.

In 2013, there were 813 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Australia. In 2017, it is estimated that 912 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in Australia.

In 2013, the age–standardised incidence rate was 6.8 cases per 100,000 females. In 2017, it is estimated that the age–standardised incidence rate will be 7.1 cases per 100,000 females. The incidence rate for cervical cancer is expected to be highest for age group 35–39, followed by age groups 40–44 and 85+.

In 2017, it is estimated that the risk of a female being diagnosed with cervical cancer by her 85th birthday will be 1 in 166.

The number of new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed decreased from 965 in 1982 to 813 in 2013. Over the same period, the age–standardised incidence rate decreased from 14 cases per 100,000 females in 1982 to 6.8 cases per 100,000 females in 2013.

Deaths from cervical cancer

In 2014, cervical cancer was the 20th leading cause of cancer death among females in Australia. It is estimated that it will become the 19th most common cause of death from cancer among females in 2017.

In 2014, there were 223 deaths from cervical cancer in Australia. In 2017, it is estimated that this will increase to 254 deaths.

In 2014, the age–standardised mortality rate was 1.7 deaths per 100,000 females. In 2017, it is estimated that the age–standardised mortality rate will be 1.8 deaths per 100,000 females. The mortality rate for cervical cancer is expected to generally increase with age.

In 2017, it is estimated that the risk of a female dying from cervical cancer by her 85th birthday will be 1 in 480.

The number of deaths from cervical cancer decreased from 378 in 1968 to 223 in 2014. Over the same period, the age–standardised mortality rate decreased from 7.7 deaths per 100,000 females in 1968 to 1.7 deaths per 100,000 females in 2014.

Survival from cervical cancer

In 2009–2013, females diagnosed with cervical cancer had a 72% chance of surviving for 5 years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population.

Between 1984–1988 and 2009–2013, 5–year relative survival from cervical cancer improved from 69% to 72%.

5-year relative survival from cervical cancer, 1984–1988 to 2009–2013

Source: AIHW [13].'

Survivorship population for cervical cancer

The survivorship population is measured using prevalence data. Prevalence refers to the number of people alive who have previously been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

The prevalence for 1, 5 and 31 years given below are the number of people living with cervical cancer at the end of 2012 who had been diagnosed in the preceding 1, 5 and 31 years respectively.

At the end of 2012, there were 797 females living who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer that year, 3,165 females who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2008 to 2012) and 15,604 females who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer in the previous 31 years (from 1982 to 2012).